NAVAJO CEREMONIAL SONGS

That which is good
May it be made as offering to him
May it be made as offering to him

The young man who walks in the darkness
May it be made as offering to him
May it be made as offering to him
The beautiful black bead
May it be made as offering to him
May it be made as offering to him
The beautiful sparkling stone
May it be made as offering to him
May it be made as offering to him
The beautiful blue pollen
May it be made as offering to him
May it be made as offering to him
The beautiful corn pollen
May it be made as offering to him
May it be made as offering to him
They will be exchanged tor his mind, his voice;
May it be made as offering to him.

The young woman of the dusk
May it be made as offering to her
May it be made as offering to her
The beautiful white shell
May it be made as offering to her
May it be made as offering to her
The beautiful sparkling stone
May it be made as offering to her
May it be made as offering to her
The beautiful blue pollen
May it be made as offering to her
May it be made as offering to her
The beautiful corn pollen
May it be made as offering to her
May it be made as offering to her
They will be exchanged for her voice, her mind;
May they be made as offering to her.

That which is good
May it be made as offering to her
May it be made as offering to her.

The first man—you are his child, he is your child
The first woman—you are her child, she is your child
The water monster—you are his child, he is your child
The black sea-horse—you are his child, he is your child
The black snake—you are his child, he is your child
The big blue snake—you are his child, he is your child
The white corn—you are his child, he is your child
The yellow corn—you are his child, he is your child
The corn pollen—you are his child, he is your child
The corn beetle—you are his child, he is your child
Sahanahray—you are his child, he is your child
Bekayhozhon—you are his child, he is your child

3. SECOND SONG OF THE FLOOD

They are running from the water, I came up with it
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with it
When it was holy, I came up with it
They start moving from the water, I came up with it
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with it
When it was holy, I came up with it
The rocks which extend upward, I came up with them
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them
When it was holy, I came up with them
The mountains which extend upward, I came up with them
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them.
When it was holy, I came up with them
The waters which extend upward, I came up with them
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them
When it was holy, I came up with themp. 132
The clouds which extend upward, I came up with them
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them
When it was holy, I came up with them
The mists which extend upward, I came up with them
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them
When it was holy, I came up with them
They arrived at the sky, I came up with them
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them
When it was holy, I came up with them
They came through the sky, I came up with them
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them
When it was holy, I came up with them
They came up to it, I came up with them
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them
When it was holy, I came up with them
They are camping in it, I came up with them
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them
When it was holy, I came up with them
They are moving away from each other, I came up with them
When my spiritual power was strong, I came up with them
When it was holy, I came up with them.

5. SONG OF THE LADDER

The ladder, the ladder, the ladder, the ladder
The ladder, the ladder, the ladder, the ladder.

From down in the Emergence Pit—the ladder, the ladder
The Talking God moves with me up the black ladder—the ladder, the ladder
He moves with the rainbow—the ladder, the ladder
To the edge of the Emergence Pit—the ladder, the ladder;
Blue-bird is humming before me—the ladder, the ladder
Corn-beetle is humming behind me—the ladder, the ladder
I, I am Sahanahray Bekayhozhon—the ladder, the ladder
Before me all is beautiful—the ladder, the ladder
Behind me all is beautiful—the ladder, the ladder.

The ladder, the ladder, the ladder, the ladder.

From down in the Emergence Pit—the ladder, the ladder
The House God moves with me up the blue ladder—the ladder, the ladder
He moves with the lightning—the ladder, the ladder
To the edge of the Emergence Pit—the ladder, the ladder;
Corn-beetle is humming behind me—the ladder, the ladder
Blue-bird is humming before me—the ladder, the ladder
I, I am Sahanahray Bekayhozhon—the ladder, the ladder
Behind me all is beautiful—the ladder, the ladder
Before me all is beautiful—the ladder, the ladder.

The ladder, the ladder, the ladder, the ladder
The ladder, the ladder, the ladder, the ladder.

6. THERE ARE NO PEOPLE SONG

You say there were no people
Smoke was spreading*
You say there were no people
Smoke was spreading.

First Man was the very first to emerge, they say,
Smoke was spreading
He brought with him the various robes and precious things they say,
Smoke was spreading
He brought with him the white corn and the yellow corn, they say,
Smoke was spreading
He brought with him the various animals and the growing things, they say,
Smoke was spreading.

You say there were no people
Smoke was spreading.

First Woman was the very first to emerge, they say,
Smoke was spreading
She brought with her the various precious things and robes, they say,**
Smoke was spreading
She brought with her the yellow corn and the varicolored corn, they say,
Smoke was spreadingp. 136
She brought with her the various animals and the growing things, they say,
Smoke was spreading.

You say there were no people
Smoke was spreading
You say there were no people
Smoke was spreading.

7. THE SONG OF COYOTE WHO STOLE THE FIRE

I am frivolous Coyote; I wander around
I have seen the Black God’s fire; I wander around
I stole his fire from him; I wander around
I have it! I have it!

I am changing Coyote; I wander around
I have seen the bumble-bee’s fire; I wander around
I stole his fire from him; I wander around
I have it! I have it!

8. SWEATHOUSE SONG

The earth has been laid down, the earth has been laid down
The earth has been laid down, it has been made.

The earth spirit has been laid down
It is covered over with the growing things, it has been laid down
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been laid down
The earth has been laid down, it has been made.

The sky has been set up, the sky has been set up
The sky has been set up, it has been made.

The black sky has been set up
It is covered over with the heavenly bodies, it has been set up
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been set up
The sky has been set up, it has been made.

The mountains have been laid down, the mountains have been laid down
The mountains have been laid down, they have been made.

The mountain spirits have been laid down
They are covered over with all the animals, they have been laid down
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been laid down
The mountains have been laid down, they have been made.

The waters have been laid down, the waters have been laid down
The waters have been laid down, they have been made.

The water spirits have been laid down
They are covered over with the water pollen,* they have been laid down
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been laid down
The waters have been laid down, they have been made.

The clouds have been set up, the clouds have been set up
The clouds have been set up, the clouds have been made.

The black clouds have been set up
They are covered over with the male rain, they have been set up
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been set up
The clouds have been set up, they have been made.

The fog has been set up, the fog has been set up
The fog has been set up, the fog has been made.

The black fog has been set up
It is covered over with female rain, it has been set up
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon have been set up
The fog has been set up, it has been made.

9. SECOND SWEATHOUSE SONG

There is no wood, there is no wood
There is no wood, there is no wood
There is no wood.

Beaver man talks to me
He gives me his wood
With it I take a sweat bath
There is no wood, there is no wood.
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon
They give me their wood
With it I take a sweat bath
There is no wood, there is no wood.

There is no wood, there is no wood
There is no wood, there is no wood.

14. HOUSE SONG (FROM THE HAlL CHANT)

Below the East, the burning firewood
The fire of the trees is the burning firewood
The fire of Sahanahray is the burning firewood
The fire of Bekayhozhon is the burning firewood
Here all around it is warm, here the burning firewood
The burning firewood.

Below the West, the burning firewood
The fire of the trees is the burning firewood
The fire of Sahanahray is the burning firewood
The fire of Bekayhozhon is the burning firewood
Here all around it is warm, here the burning firewood
The burning firewood.

Below the South, the burning firewood
The fire of the trees is the burning firewood
The fire of Sahanahray is the burning firewood
The fire of Bekayhozhon is the burning firewood
Here all around it is warm, here the burning firewood
The burning firewood.

Below the North, the burning firewood
The Big Star blazing is the burning firewood
The fire of Sahanahray is the burning firewood
The fire of Bekayhozhon is the burning firewood
Here all around it is warm, here the burning firewood
The burning firewood

15. SONG OF CREATING PEOPLE (FROM THE HAIL CHANT)

Hozhoni, hozhoni, hozhoni
Hozhoni, hozhoni, hozhoni.
The Earth, its life am I, hozhoni, hozhoni
The Earth, its feet are my feet, hozhoni, hozhoni
The Earth, its legs are my legs, hozhoni, hozhoni
The Earth, its body is my body, hozhoni, hozhoni
The Earth, its thoughts are my thoughts, hozhoni, hozhoni
The Earth, its speech is my speech, hozhoni, hozhoni
The Earth, its down-feathers are my down-feathers, hozhoni, hozhoni.

The sky, its life am I, hozhoni, hozhoni—*
The mountains, their life am I—
Rain-mountain, its life am I—
Changing-Woman, her life am I—
The Sun, its life am I—
Talking God, his life am I—
House God, his life am I—
White corn, its life am I—
Yellow corn, its life am I—
Corn-pollen, its life am I—
The corn-beetle, its life am I—

16. MOUNTAIN SONG

He can see everywhere, he can see everywhere, he can see everywhere
He can see everywhere.

From below the East, he can see everywhere
From the top of Pelado Peak, he can see everywhere
From the top of the White Shell Mountain, he can see everywhere
From the top of the Talking Mountain, he can see everywhere
From the top of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, he can see everywhere
The Talking God Boy, he can see everywhere
Through twelve pieces of obsidian, he can see everywhere.

He can see everywhere, he can see everywhere, he can see everywhere
He can see everywhere.

From below the West, he can see everywhere
From the top of San Francisco Peak, he can see everywhere
From the top of the Abalone Mountain, he can see everywhere
From the top of the Talking Mountain, he can see everywhere
From the top of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, he can see everywhere
The House God Boy, he can see everywhere
Through twelve pieces of obsidian, he can see everywhere.

He can see everywhere, he can see everywhere, he can see everywhere
He can see everywhere.

From below the South, he can see everywhere
From the top of Mount Taylor, he can see everywhere
From the top of the Turquoise Mountain, he can see everywherep. 144
From the top of the Talking Mountain, he can see everywhere
From the top of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, he can see everywhere
The Male God Boy, he can see everywhere
Through twelve pieces of obsidian, he can see everywhere.

He can see everywhere, he can see everywhere, he can see everywhere
He can see everywhere.

From below the North, she can see everywhere
From the top of San Juan Mountain, she can see everywhere
From the top of the Jet Mountain, she can see everywhere
From the top of the Talking Mountain, she can see everywhere
From the top of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, she can see everywhere
The Female God Girl, she can see everywhere
Through twelve pieces of obsidian, she can see everywhere.

She can see everywhere, she can see everywhere, she can see everywhere
She can see everywhere.

17. SONG OF HOW THE SUN WAS MADE

They emerged; they say he is planning it*
They emerged; they say he is planning it
They emerged; they say he is planning it.

Right on the edge of the Emergence Pit, they say he is planning it
In the center of First Man’s hogahn, they say he is planning it
In the center of a hogahn of robes, they say he is planning it
On top of a pile of robes, they say he is planning it
The sun will be created, they say he is planning it
His face will be blue, they say he is planning it
His eyes will be black, they say he is planning itp. 145
His chin will be yellow, they say he is planning it
His horns will be blue, they say he is planning it
Black is around him, they say he is planning it
White is around him, they say he is planning it
Yellow is around him, they say he is planning it
Red is around him, they say he is planning it
In his body there is danger, they say he is planning it
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon it shall be, they say he is planning it.

They emerged; they say he is planning it
They emerged; they say he is planning it
They emerged; they say he is planning it.

Right on the edge of the Emergence Pit, they say he is planning it
In the center of the First Woman’s hogahn, they say he is planning it
In the center of a hogahn of precious things, they say he is planning it
On top of a pile of precious things, they say he is planning it
The moon will be created, they say he is planning it
His face will be white, they say he is planning it
His eyes will be black, they say he is planning it
His chin will be yellow, they say he is planning it
His horns will be white, they say he is planning it
Black is around him, they say he is planning it
Yellow is around him, they say he is planning it
Blue is around him, they say he is planning it
Red is around him, they say he is planning it
In his body there is danger, they say he is planning it
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon it shall be, they say he is planning it.

They emerged; they say he is planning it
They emerged; they say he is planning it
They emerged; they say he is planning it.*

18. SONG OF SUN AND MOON

From far away he commands; he rises, see him!
From far away he commands; he rises, see him!
From far away he commands; he rises, see him!

From far below the East he commands; he rises, see him!
The Sun commands; he rises, see him!
His face is blue; see him!
His eye-sockets are black; see him!
His chin is yellow; see him!
His horns are blue; see him!
Around him is black; see him!
Around him is white; see him!
Around him is yellow; see him!
Around him is red; see him!
In his body is danger; see him!
A round corn (kernel) moves through the air*; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth to where earth and sky meet; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth to where mountain and sky meet; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth to where water and sky meet; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth to where the growing things and the sky meet; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth to the horizon of the heavenly bodies; see him!
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon; see him!

From far away he commands; he rises, see him!
From far away he commands; he rises, see him!
From far away he commands; he rises, see him!p. 147
From below the East he commands; he rises, see him!
The Moon commands; he rises, see him!
His face is white; see him!
His eye-sockets are black; see him!
His chin is yellow; see him!
His horns are white; see him!
Around him it is black; see him!
Around him it is yellow; see him!
Around him it is blue; see him!
Around him it is red; see him!
In his body is danger; see him!
A round corn (kernel) moves through the air; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth to where earth and sky meet; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth to where mountain and sky meet; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth to where water and sky meet; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth to where the growing things and the sky meet; see him!
See how he shines over all the earth to the horizon of the heavenly bodies; see him!
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon; see him!

From far away he commands; he rises, see him!
From far away he commands; he rises, see him!
From far away he commands; he rises, see him!

19. WHERE THE STARS WERE MADE

Man will be created, man will be created.

The first man, the first woman
From them, man will be created, man will be created
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon
From them, man will be created, man will be createdp. 148
The Big Dipper, the Little Dipper
From them, man will be created, man will be created
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon
From them, man will be created, man will be created
The Pleiades, the first constellation (1)
From them, man will be created, man will be created
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon
From them, man will be created, man will be created
The second constellation, (2) the third constellation (3)
From them, man will be created, man will be created
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon
From them, man will be created, man will be created
The “Rabbit’s Tracks” (4), the Milky Way
From them, man will be created, man will be created
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon
From them, man will be created, man will be created
Pelado Peak, Mount Taylor
From them, man will be created, man will be created
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon
From them, man will be created, man will be created
San Francisco Peak, San Juan Mountain
From them, man will be created, man will be created
The Talking God, the House God
From them, man will be created, man will be created
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon
From them, man will be created, man will be created
The white corn, the yellow corn
From them, man will be created, man will be created
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon
From them, man will be created, man will be created
The corn-pollen, the corn-beetle
From them, man will be created, man will be createdp. 149
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon
From them, man will be created, man will be created

21. CRADLE SONG

On the edge of the place of Emergence, hush!
On top of the Johleen Mountain, hush!
White-Shell-Woman is here, hush!
The Talking God is here, hush!
The white corn, hush!
About its feet—hush—the earth; hush!
At the end of its leaves—hush—the black cloud; hush!
At its water—hush—the male rain; hush!
Its big stalk—hush—my body; hush!
Placed on alternate sides—hush—its pollen; hush!
On its flowers—hush—its pollen; hush!
On its hair—hush—the rainbow; hush!
On its kernels—hush—the white shell; hush!
Before it—hush—the Talking God; hush!
Behind it—hush—the House God; hush!
Under it—hush—the lizard; hush!
Above it—hush—the night bird; hush!
On top of it—hush—the blue bird; hush!
All around it—hush—the corn beetle; hush!
Under it—hush—the earth; hush!
Above it—hush—the black sky; hush!
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, hush!
Before it all is beautiful, hush!
Behind it all is beautiful, hush!

On the edge of the place of Emergence, hush!
On top of Huerfano Mountain, hush!
Changing-Woman is here, hush!
The House God is here, hush!
The yellow corn, hush!
About its feet—hush—the earth; hush!
At the end of its leaves—hush—the black fog; hush!
At its waters—hush—the female rain; hush!
Its big stalk—hush—my body; hush!
Placed on alternate sides—hush—its pollen; hush!
On its flowers—hush—the pollen; hush!
On its hair—hush—the rainbow; hush!
On its kernels—hush—the abalone; hush!
Behind it—hush—the House God; hush!
Before it—hush—the Talking God; hush!
Above it—hush—the night bird; hush!
Under it—hush—the lizard; hush!
On top of it—hush—the corn-beetle; hush!
All around it—hush—the growing things; hush!
Above it—hush—the black sky; hush!
Under it—hush—the earth; hush!
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, hush!
Behind it all is beautiful, hush!
Before it all is beautiful, hush!

22. SONG OF THE FIRST PUBERTY CEREMONY

She moves, she moves
She moves, she moves.

White-Shell-Woman, she moves
Her shoes of white shell, she moves
Her shoes trimmed in black, she moves
Her shoe-strings of white shell, she moves
Her leggings of white shell, she moves
Her garters of white shell, she moves
Her buckskin-fringed trousers of white shell, she moves
Her dancing-skirt of white shell, she moves
Her belt of white shell, she moves
Her shirt of white shell, she moves
Her bracelet of white shell, she moves
Her necklace of white shell, she moves
Her earrings of white shell, she moves
The pollen of the various robes is placed in her mouth, she moves
Her visor of white shell, she moves
A white shell has been placed on her forehead, she moves
Her feather of white shell, she moves
Above her a male blue-bird dances about beautifully, she moves
He sings: his voice is beautiful, she moves
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, she moves
Before her all is beautiful, she moves
Behind her all is beautiful, she moves.

Changing-Woman, she moves
Her shoes of turquoise, she moves
Her shoes of turquoise trimmed in black, she moves
Her shoe-strings of turquoise, she moves
Her leggings of turquoise, she moves
Her garters of turquoise, she moves
Her buckskin-fringed trousers of turquoise, she moves
Her dancing-skirt of turquoise, she moves
Her belt of turquoise, she moves
Her shirt of turquoise, she moves
Her bracelet of turquoise, she moves
Her necklace of turquoise, she moves
Her earrings of turquoise, she moves
The pollen of the various precious things has been placed in
her mouth, she moves
Her visor of turquoise, she moves
A turquoise has been placed on her forehead, she moves
Her feather of turquoise, she moves
Above her a female blue-bird dances about beautifully, she moves
She sings: her voice is beautiful, she moves
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, she moves
Behind her all is beautiful, she moves
Before her all is beautiful, she moves.

It goes about above the Earth, age, they say
It goes about beneath, beneath Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, age, they say
It goes about beneath, age, they say
It goes about beneath, age, they say.

It goes about beneath, below the Sky, age, they say
It goes about beneath, beneath Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, age, they say
It goes about beneath, age, they say
It goes about beneath, age, they say.

Above all the mountains, age, they say
It goes about beneath, beneath Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, age, they say
It goes about beneath, age, they say
It goes about beneath, age, they say.

It goes about beneath the Sun, age, they say
It goes around it, around Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, age, they say
It goes about beneath, age, they say
It goes about beneath, age, they say.

It goes about around them, all the springs, age, they say
It goes about around them, around Sahanahray Bekayhozhon, age, they say
It goes about around them, age, they say
It goes about around them, age, they say.

It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me
It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me
It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me
It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me.

I am the Talking God; it has been stretched over me
Seven rainbows appear; it has been stretched over me
Seven kinds of robes appear; it has been stretched over me
Seven kinds of precious things appear; it has been stretched over me
I am Sahanahray Bekayhozhon; it has been stretched over me.

It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me
It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me
It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me
It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me.

I am the House God; it has been stretched over me
Five strings of beads appear; it has been stretched over me
Five kinds of precious things appear; it has been stretched over me
Five kinds of robes appear; it has been stretched over me
I am Sahanahray Bekayhozhon; it has been stretched over me.

It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me
It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me
It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me
It has been stretched over me, it has been stretched over me.

27. SONG OF THE WHITE SHELL PRAYER-STICKS

I am the House God, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
Where the (logs) of my house lie toward each other, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
At the far wall of my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
In the center of my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
In the fireplace of my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
In the inside door-corner of my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
In the entrance-way of my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
The Talking Gods are standing all around my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
The House Gods are standing all around my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
The white corn boys are standing all around my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
The yellow corn girls are standing all around my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
The corn-pollen boys are standing all around my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
The corn-beetle girls are standing all around my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
The sky surrounds all of my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
Sahanahray Bekayhozhon surround all of my house, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about

Before me it is beautiful, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
Behind me it is beautiful, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
Below me it is beautiful, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
Above me it is beautiful, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about
All around me it is beautiful, I wander about,
I—beautiful—wander about.

He is thinking about it, he is thinking about it
He is thinking about it, he is thinking about it.

The main beams of the earth will be main beams; he is thinking about it
The main beams of the wood spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it
The main beams of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon will be main beams; he is thinking about it.

The main beams of the mountain spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it
The main beams of the wood spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it
The main beams of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon will be main beams; he is thinking about it.

The main beams of the water spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it
The main bearns of the wood spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it
The main beams of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon will be main beams; he is thinking about it.

The main beams of the corn spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it
The main bearns of the wood spirit will be main beams; he is thinking about it
The main beams of Sahanahray Bekayhozhon will be main beams; he is thinking about it.

He is thinking about it, he is thinking about it
He is thinking about it, he is thinking about it.

30. SONG OF THE EARTH (FROM THE BLESSING CHANT)

The Earth is beautiful
The Earth is beautiful
The Earth is beautiful.

Below the East, the Earth, its face toward East,
the top of its head is beautiful
The soles of its feet, they are beautiful
Its feet, they are beautiful
Its legs, they are beautiful
Its body, it is beautiful
Its chest, it is beautiful
Its breast, it is beautiful
Its head-feather, it is beautiful
The Earth is beautiful.
Below the West, the Sky, it is beautiful, its face toward West,
the top of its head is beautiful—*
Below the East, the dawn, its face toward East,
the top of its head is beautiful—
Below the West, the afterglow of sundown, its face toward West,
the top of its head is beautiful—
Below the East, White Corn, its face toward East,
the top of its head is beautiful—
Below the South, Blue Corn, its face toward South,
the top of its head is beautiful—
Below the West, Yellow Corn, its face toward West,
the top of its head is beautiful—
Below the North, Varicolored Corn, its face toward North,
the top of its head is beautiful—
Below the East, Sahanahray, its face toward East,
the top of its head is beautiful—
Below the West, Bekayhozhon, its face toward West,
the top of its head is beautiful—p. 162
Below the East, corn-pollen, its face toward East,
the top of its head is beautiful—
Below the West, the corn-beetle, its face toward West,
the top of its head is beautiful—
The Earth is beautiful.

Footnotes

* The Ethkay-nah-ashi, literally “The two who go about together,” are mentioned in the Creation story, p. 41. The offerings are meant to be given to “The young man who walks in the darkness” and “The young woman of the dusk.” This is the very first song of the Creation story as given by the singer Klah. Five songs with the same melody and text follow except that the refrain—May it be made as offering to him—is changed to:
They have started off with it (the offering).
They have taken (the offerings) away (for the dead).
They have set (the offerings) down (for the dead).
He picks (the offerings) up.
He is pleased (with the offering).

* The Flood is expressed in Navajo by the phrase, “we are running from the waters.” The Navajo words in the last two lines are esoteric expressions which are used only in songs and prarers. Their meaning is sacred and medicine-men disagree on their exact interpretation. The second word contains the Navajo word for “holy.”

** “The various robes” include skins and possessions of soft materials which the Navajo contrast with “hard” possessions such as jewelry, translated with “precious things” here. Two songs with the same melody and text follow. The first changes the refrain—Smoke was spreading (over the earth)—to: Smoke streamed out (from behind them). The second changes the refrain to: He (First Man) commanded them, they heard them, except the last line of each stanza where it has instead: He on the chief mountain commanded them, they heard him.

* Two songs with the same melody and text follow, except that they substitute “abalone” and “jet” for “white shell” and “turquoise.” Then come five groups of four songs each, substituting for the refrain “She moves”: She stands up, She stands, She dances, She jingles, and: (Her ornaments) crowd up on her again and again. In all other details, they are identical with the first group of four songs.

* This song is about the journey of the two War-Gods to their father, the Sun, see p. 79 of the story. The odd divisions of the poem attempt to follow the musical treatment in the song, according to which the second and third repetition of the refrain-formula are joined together in the introduction. What would be the third line of the brief stanzas is joined to the refrain-sections that form the connective and the coda. Two songs with the same melody and text follow, except that they change they are coming in the refrain to: They two are coming, and: Several of them are coming.

* Three songs with the identical melody and text follow, except that they substitute for the refrain, He is thinking about it; He is talking to them about it, They are placing them (i.e., the main beams of the hogahn), and: They laid them down. Also, in the last song the phrase “will be main beams” is everywhere replaced by: “they are placing them”.

* This song is sung by Changing-Woman when her two children visit her on her island, see p. 122 of the story. The singer stated that the song was sung when the patient steps into the footstep marks on the sandpainting, before he is made to sit down on it.